Restorative Dentistry for Children in New Canaan
Dr. Anna Simonis and our dedicated team are committed to protecting and restoring your child's healthy smile. Sometimes, despite our best efforts, teeth can suffer from decay or injury. When this happens, our restorative dentistry services are here to help repair damage, prevent future problems, and ensure your child’s smile remains bright and healthy.
Our approach combines advanced dental technology with a gentle, compassionate touch. We understand that dental procedures can be daunting for children, which is why we have created a warm, friendly, and supportive environment. Our goal is to make every visit a positive experience while providing the highest standard of care. This page explains what restorative dentistry involves, the services we offer, and why our practice is the right choice for your family.
What is Pediatric Restorative Dentistry?
Restorative dentistry focuses on diagnosing, preventing, and treating diseases and injuries affecting your child’s teeth. Its primary purpose is to repair damaged teeth and bring them back to their optimal function and appearance. For children, this is especially important for their primary (baby) teeth as well as their permanent teeth.
Healthy primary teeth are crucial for several reasons:
- They help children chew food properly, which is essential for good nutrition.
- They play a vital role in speech development.
- They act as placeholders, guiding the permanent teeth into their correct positions.
When a baby tooth is lost too early due to decay or injury, it can cause alignment issues for the permanent teeth that follow. Restorative treatments help preserve these important teeth until they are ready to fall out naturally.
Call 203-594-9500 or contact us today to learn more and schedule an appointment.
Benefits of Restorative Care
Investing in restorative dental care for your child offers numerous benefits that contribute to their long-term oral health and overall well-being.
- Pain Relief: A primary goal of restorative treatment is to eliminate the pain and discomfort caused by cavities or dental injuries.
- Prevents Further Damage: Treating a cavity early stops decay from spreading deeper into the tooth or to neighboring teeth, preventing more complex issues.
- Supports Proper Oral Development: By saving primary teeth, we ensure there is adequate space for permanent teeth to emerge correctly, reducing the potential need for future orthodontic work.
- Boosts Confidence: A healthy smile helps children feel good about themselves. Repairing chipped or discolored teeth can restore their confidence when they talk, laugh, and smile.
- Improves Overall Health: Oral health is directly linked to overall health. Addressing dental infections and decay helps protect your child from systemic health problems.
Why Choose Us for Your Child’s Care?
At New Canaan Pediatric Dentistry, we specialize in making dental care a positive and stress-free experience. Dr. Anna and her team have extensive training in pediatric dentistry and are skilled in working with children of all ages, from infants to adolescents.
A Child-Focused Environment
Our office was designed with children in mind. From our welcoming reception area to our treatment rooms equipped with the latest technology, every detail is geared toward helping your child feel safe and comfortable. We use language that children can understand and take the time to explain each step of a procedure.
Expertise in Pediatric Dentistry
Dr. Anna Simonis is a highly qualified pediatric dentist with years of specialized training. She received her Doctorate in Dental Surgery from Columbia University and completed her pediatric dentistry residency at New York Presbyterian-Columbia University Medical Center. Her expertise ensures that your child receives care that is not only effective but also tailored to their unique developmental and emotional needs.
Advanced Technology and Techniques
We use state-of-the-art dental technology to provide efficient and minimally invasive treatments. This includes digital X-rays, which reduce radiation exposure, and modern materials that ensure durable, natural-looking restorations. Our commitment to advanced care means better outcomes and a more comfortable experience for your child.
Call 203-594-9500 or contact us today to learn more and schedule an appointment.
Our Restorative Dentistry Procedures
We offer a comprehensive range of restorative services to address various dental concerns. After a thorough examination, Dr. Anna will recommend the most appropriate treatment for your child’s specific situation.
Dental Fillings
When a tooth develops a cavity, a filling is used to restore it. The decayed portion of the tooth is gently removed, and the area is cleaned and filled with a tooth-colored composite material. These modern fillings are durable and blend seamlessly with the natural tooth, making them virtually invisible.
Pulp Therapy (Pulpotomy)
If decay reaches the inner pulp of a tooth, where the nerves and blood vessels are located, pulp therapy may be necessary to save the tooth. This procedure, often called a "baby root canal," involves removing the infected part of the pulp from the tooth's crown. The remaining healthy pulp in the root is left intact, and a medicated filling is placed to prevent reinfection. This treatment helps relieve pain and preserves the baby tooth until it falls out naturally.
Dental Crowns
For teeth with extensive decay or damage that cannot be repaired with a simple filling, a dental crown offers a durable solution. A crown is a cap that covers the entire visible portion of the tooth, restoring its shape, size, and strength. We offer stainless steel crowns for back teeth, which are highly durable, as well as tooth-colored zirconia crowns for front teeth to provide a more natural-looking appearance.
Tooth Extractions
While our primary goal is to save natural teeth, an extraction may be necessary if a tooth is severely decayed, infected, or damaged beyond repair. We perform extractions with the utmost care, ensuring your child is comfortable throughout the process. If a primary tooth is removed prematurely, we may recommend a space maintainer to hold the spot for the permanent tooth.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are restorative procedures painful for my child?
We prioritize your child's comfort at all times. We use local anesthesia to numb the treatment area, ensuring the procedure is painless. For children who are anxious, we also offer safe and effective sedation options to help them relax.
My child’s baby tooth has a cavity. Does it really need a filling if it’s just going to fall out?
Yes, it is very important. Untreated cavities in baby teeth can cause pain, lead to infection, and affect the development of the permanent teeth underneath. Treating decay early protects your child's health and ensures their permanent teeth have the best chance to grow in properly.
How can I help prevent my child from needing restorative treatments?
The best way to prevent cavities and other dental issues is through consistent oral hygiene at home and regular dental check-ups. This includes brushing twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, flossing daily, and maintaining a balanced diet low in sugar. We also offer preventive services like dental sealants and fluoride treatments to provide extra protection.
What are dental crowns made of?
For back teeth (molars), we typically use stainless steel crowns because they are extremely durable and can withstand chewing forces. For front teeth, we offer aesthetic zirconia crowns, which are white and provide a beautiful, natural-looking result.
How long do restorative treatments last?
The longevity of a restoration depends on the material used, the location of the tooth, and your child's oral hygiene habits. With proper care, fillings and crowns can last for many years, often until the baby tooth naturally falls out.
Call New Canaan Pediatric Dentistry
No matter how well you and your child care for their teeth, decay and damage can still occur. Get the professional care you need in a comfortable, compassionate environment. Learn more about our restorative services by calling 203-594-9500 or contact us today to schedule an appointment.